Design of Tension Membrane and Shadecloth Shade Structures

Tensioned membrane structures have become an important structural form for both large span roof structures as well as for smaller covered areas which also serve as an architectural statement.

The design principles and fabric material properties needed to be understood for a successful realization of a project are not covered in University courses. This seminar is an opportunity to learn about the basic structural design parameters, material selection, fabrication and erection techniques.

A particular focus of the seminar will be design factors, fabrication details, shade prediction and maintenance of smaller shade structures made from knitted porus shade-cloth with applications to providing shade to schools, playgrounds and domestic environments.

Topics which will be presented

Brief history of tensile structures and modern architectural fabric materials

Understanding the engineering design process and the nature of structural supports

LSAA 2009 Conference Speakers

Our invited International Speaker is Prof Ian Liddell. Ian is a founder of the respected firm of Buro Happold in the UK. Amongst a raft of completed impressive lightweight structures around the world, perhaps the most well known that Ian designed is the Milleniumm Dome.

Ian Liddell CBE, one of thefounding partners of Buro Happold, retired in 2005 but continues to work for the practice as a consultant. He is a Royal Academy Visiting Professor of Engineering Design at Cambridge University’s School of Engineering, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He is an Honourary Fellow of the Royal Institution of British Architects.

During his 30 years with Buro Happold, Ian worked on an array of projects, mainly on lightweight structures. His innovative design for the cable net and flat fabric roof of theMillennium Domewas recognised in 1999 with the presentation of the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award, the most prestigious prize for UK engineering.

Other major projects in which Ian has played a principal role include the Mannheim Gridshell, the Glasgow Science Centre Tower, the Globe Theatre in London, the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital atrium roof, the State Mosque of Sarawak and the British Embassy in Riyadh

We are also privileged to have two outstanding local Architects agree to give keynote presentations.

Daryl Jackson and Patrick Ness are well known to the Melbourne and Australian fraternity with a swag of completed projects and current work in the area of lightweight structures and stadia.

Our invited International Speaker was Prof Ian Liddell. Ian is a founder of the respected firm of Buro Happold in the UK. Amongst a raft of completed impressive lightweight structures around the world, perhaps the most well known that Ian designed is the Milleniumm Dome. He is an Honourary Fellow of the Royal Institution of British Architects.

We were also privileged to have two outstanding local Architects agree to give keynote presentations. Daryl Jackson and Patrick Ness are well known to the Melbourne fraternity with a swag of completed projects and current work in the area of lightweight structures and stadia.

The LSAA joined with the Specialized Textiles Association in a combined trade expo supported by conference presentations.

The event was held at the Crowne Plaza in the Hunter Valley NSW from May 31 to June 2 2014.

The traditional STA Trade Expo was different in that the Exhibition area was only "opened" from 11am to 2pm. Outside of these times, several parallel Conference Sessions took place.

The LSAA gave a structured and educational series of presentations over two days covering "Tensioned Fabric Structures" - Australian History, Design Principles, Materials, Applications, Basic Engineering Understanding and Lessons to be Learnt.

The presentations by Peter Kneen, Bob Cahill and Peter Lim were very well received.

In particular, feedback from the audience highlighted the knowledge gained relating to the large forces involved both in fabric prestress levels and the magnitude of wind loads. Several example where extremely large deflections under moderate wind demonstrated issues that need to be addressed by the shadecloth industry.